2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan
{{Short description|none}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan
| country = Michigan
| type = legislative
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan
| previous_year = 2006
| next_election = 2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan
| next_year = 2010
| seats_for_election = All 15 Michigan seats to the United States House of Representatives
| election_date = {{Start date|2008|11|04}}
| party1 = Democratic Party (United States)
| last_election1 = 6
| seats1 = 8
| seat_change1 = {{increase}} 2
| popular_vote1 = 2,516,640
| percentage1 = 52.31%
| swing1 = {{decrease}} 0.44%
| party2 = Republican Party (United States)
| last_election2 = 9
| seats2 = 7
| seat_change2 = {{decrease}} 2
| popular_vote2 = 2,114,293
| percentage2 = 43.95%
| swing2 = {{decrease}} 0.61%
| map_image = {{Switcher
| 300px
| Congressional district results
| 300px
| County results
}}
| map_caption = {{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
Democratic
{{legend|#B9D7FF|40–50%}}
{{legend|#86b6f2|50–60%}}
{{legend|#4389e3|60–70%}}
{{legend|#1666cb|70–80%}}
{{legend|#0645B4|80–90%}}
{{legend|#002B84|>90%}}
{{col-2}}
Republican
{{legend|#F2B3BE|40–50%}}
{{legend|#E27F90|50–60%}}
{{legend|#CC2F4A|60–70%}}
{{legend|#D40000|70–80%}}
{{col-end}}
}}
{{ElectionsMI}}
The 2008 congressional elections in Michigan were held on November 4, 2008, to determine who would represent the state of Michigan in the United States House of Representatives. Michigan had fifteen seats in the House, apportioned according to the 2000 United States census. Representatives are elected for two-year terms; those elected will serve in the 111th Congress from January 3, 2009, until January 3, 2011. The election coincided with the 2008 U.S. presidential election.
The 7th and 9th district seats were considered to be competitive. Both seats were occupied by Republicans{{Cite web |url=http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=news-000002838634 |title=CQ Politics {{!}} Primaries Set in Michigan, Dems Hope for Takeovers |access-date=2008-07-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080918002317/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=news-000002838634 |archive-date=2008-09-18 |url-status=dead }} who lost to Democratic opponents.
The makeup of the Michigan congressional delegation in 2008 consisted of nine Republicans and six Democrats. As a result of the 2008 election, the delegation in 2009/2010 consists of eight Democrats and seven Republicans. The two Democratic Party gains came in the 7th and 9th districts.
Overview
| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" |
| colspan="6" | United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan, 2008[http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/2008/2008Stat.htm#stateMI 2008 Election Statistics] |
|---|
| colspan=2 style="width: 15em" |Party
! style="width: 5em" |Votes ! style="width: 7em" |Percentage ! style="width: 5em" |Seats ! style="width: 5em" |+/– |
| style="background-color:#3333FF; width: 3px" |
| style="width: 130px" | Democratic | align="right" | 2,516,640 | align="right" | 52.31% | align="right" | 8 | align="right" | +2 |
| style="background-color:#FF3333; width: 3px" |
| style="width: 130px" | Republican | align="right" | 2,114,293 | align="right" | 43.95% | align="right" | 7 | align="right" | -2 |
| style="background-color:#FFCC00; width: 3px" |
| style="width: 130px" | Libertarian | align="right" | 83,424 | align="right" | 1.73% | align="right" | 0 | align="right" | - |
| style="background-color:#0BDA51; width: 3px" |
| style="width: 130px" | Green | align="right" | 66,162 | align="right" | 1.38% | align="right" | 0 | align="right" | - |
| style="background-color:#A020F0; width: 3px" |
| style="width: 130px" | U.S. Taxpayers | align="right" | 21,057 | align="right" | 0.44% | align="right" | 0 | align="right" | - |
| style="background-color:#DDDDDD; width: 3px" |
| style="width: 130px" | Independents | align="right" | 9,114 | align="right" | 0.19% | align="right" | 0 | align="right" | — |
| bgcolor="#EEEEEE"
| colspan="2" align="right" | Totals | align="right" | 4,810,690 | align="right" | 100.00% | align="right" | 15 | align="right" | — |
| bgcolor="#EEEEEE" |
District 1
{{See also|Michigan's 1st congressional district}}
Popular incumbent Bart Stupak was unopposed in the Democratic primary. Conservative state Representative Tom Casperson, from Escanaba, won the Republican primary election over Linda Goldthorpe and Don Hooper.{{cite news| url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-mi-eln-ushouse-1stdi,0,6186997.story | work=Chicago Tribune | title=Michigan - chicagotribune.com}} The Libertarian Party nominated Daniel Grow; the U.S. Taxpayers Party nominated Joshua Warren and the Green Party nominated Socialist Jean Treacy.{{Cite web |url=http://www.treacy2008.org/ |title=Jean Treacy for Congress (1st District - Michigan) - Home |access-date=2019-08-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080422162748/http://www.treacy2008.org/ |archive-date=2008-04-22 |url-status=dead }} The 1st District is generally socially conservative and strongly pro-union. It covers the entire Upper Peninsula and the northern part of the Lower Peninsula, and is the largest congressional district east of the Mississippi River. CQ Politics rating: Safe Democrat.
File:MI1 House 2008 Counties.svg
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Michigan's 1st congressional district election, 2008
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Bart Stupak (inc.)
|votes = 213,216
|percentage = 65.04
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Tom Casperson
|votes = 107,340
|percentage = 32.74
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Green Party (United States)
|candidate = Jean Treacy
|votes = 2,669
|percentage = 0.81
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Libertarian Party (United States)
|candidate = Daniel W. Grow
|votes = 2,533
|percentage = 0.77
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Constitution Party (United States)
|candidate = Joshua J. Warren
|votes = 2,070
|percentage = 0.63
}}
{{Election box total no change
|votes = 327,836
|percentage = 100.00
}}
{{Election box hold with party link without swing
|winner = Democratic Party (United States)
}}
{{Election box end}}
District 2
{{See also|Michigan's 2nd congressional district}}
Pete Hoekstra, a conservative incumbent and ranking Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, was challenged by Democrat Fred Johnson,[http://miboecfr.nictusa.com/election/candlist/08PRI/08PRI_CL.HTM 2008 Official Michigan Primary Candidate Listing] Libertarian Dan Johnson ([https://web.archive.org/web/20080928062514/http://danjohnson.lpwm.org/ campaign website]) and U.S. Taxpayers Party candidate Ronald Graeser. The district is centered on Michigan's West Shoreline and includes the cities of Muskegon and Holland. CQ Politics rating: Safe Republican.
File:MI2 House 2008 Counties.svg
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Michigan's 2nd congressional district election, 2008
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Pete Hoekstra (inc.)
|votes = 214,100
|percentage = 62.36
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Fred Johnson
|votes = 119,506
|percentage = 34.81
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Libertarian Party (United States)
|candidate = Dan Johnson
|votes = 5,496
|percentage = 1.60
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Constitution Party (United States)
|candidate = Ronald E. Graeser
|votes = 4,200
|percentage = 1.22
}}
{{Election box total no change
|votes = 343,309
|percentage = 100.00
}}
{{Election box hold with party link without swing
|winner = Republican Party (United States)
}}
{{Election box end}}
District 3
{{See also|Michigan's 3rd congressional district}}
Incumbent Vern Ehlers was re-elected. The district trends Republican and is centered on Grand Rapids. Ehlers was challenged by Democrat Henry Sanchez and Libertarian Erwin Haas. CQ Politics rating: Safe Republican.
File:MI3 House 2008 Counties.svg
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Michigan's 3rd congressional district election, 2008
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Vern Ehlers (inc.)
|votes = 203,799
|percentage = 61.11
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Henry Sanchez
|votes = 117,961
|percentage = 35.37
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Libertarian Party (United States)
|candidate = Erwin J. Haas
|votes = 11,758
|percentage = 3.53
}}
{{Election box total no change
|votes = 333,518
|percentage = 100.00
}}
{{Election box hold with party link without swing
|winner = Republican Party (United States)
}}
{{Election box end}}
District 4
{{See also|Michigan's 4th congressional district}}
Republican David Lee Camp was reelected. He was by challenged by Democrat Andrew Concannon,{{cite news | url=http://www.argus-press.com/articles/2008/03/23/news/news5.txt | newspaper=Argus-Press | date=March 22, 2008 | access-date=2010-01-10 | first=Dick | last=Campbell | title=Saginaw Democrat enters House race}} Libertarian Allitta Hren, and U.S. Taxpayer Party candidate John Emerick. This large district stretches from Owosso in the east central part of the state to Traverse City to the extreme northwest part of the Lower Peninsula. CQ Politics rating: Safe Republican.
File:MI4 House 2008 Counties.svg
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Michigan's 4th congressional district election, 2008
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|votes = 204,259
|percentage = 61.94
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Andrew D. Concannon
|votes = 117,665
|percentage = 35.68
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Constitution Party (United States)
|candidate = John Emerick
|votes = 4,055
|percentage = 1.23
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Libertarian Party (United States)
|candidate = Allitta Hren
|votes = 3,785
|percentage = 1.15
}}
{{Election box total no change
|votes = 329,764
|percentage = 100.00
}}
{{Election box hold with party link without swing
|winner = Republican Party (United States)
}}
{{Election box end}}
District 5
{{See also|Michigan's 5th congressional district}}
Democrat Dale Kildee ran for re-election in 2008. The Flint area congressman has served for over 30 years. His district (covering Flint, Saginaw, Bay City and part of the western part of The Thumb) is strongly Democratic. Petitions were circulated for Democratic state senator John Gleason to challenge Kildee, but Gleason decided not to run.[http://www.mlive.com/flintjournal/index.ssf/2008/05/sen_john_gleason_bows_out_cong.html Sen. John Gleason bows out; Congressman Dale Kildee so far unchallenged - The Flint Journal Online News - Michigan Newspaper - MLive.com]{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Kildee is challenged on by Republican candidate by Matt Sawicki of Bay City, Libertarian candidate Leonard Schwartz and Green Party candidate Ken Mathenia of Grand Blanc.{{Cite web |url=http://www.mlive.com/flintjournal/index.ssf/2008/10/three_green_party_member_ken_m.html |title=Green Party member Ken Mathenia, Republican Matthew Sawicki and Libertarian Leonard Schwartz challenge incumbent Rep. Dale e. Kildee - the Flint Journal Online News - Michigan Newspaper - MLive.com |access-date=2008-10-21 |archive-date=2008-10-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081022152812/http://www.mlive.com/flintjournal/index.ssf/2008/10/three_green_party_member_ken_m.html |url-status=dead }} CQ Politics rating: Safe Democrat.
File:MI5 House 2008 Counties.svg
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Michigan's 5th congressional district election, 2008
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Dale Kildee (inc.)
|votes = 221,841
|percentage = 70.36
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Matt Sawicki
|votes = 85,017
|percentage = 26.96
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Libertarian Party (United States)
|candidate = Leonard Schwartz
|votes = 4,293
|percentage = 1.36
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Green Party (United States)
|candidate = Ken Mathenia
|votes = 4,144
|percentage = 1.31
}}
{{Election box total no change
|votes = 315,295
|percentage = 100.00
}}
{{Election box hold with party link without swing
|winner = Democratic Party (United States)
}}
{{Election box end}}
District 6
{{See also|Michigan's 6th congressional district}}
Republican Fred Upton had three opponents, Democrat Don Cooney, Green Edward Pinkney and Libertarian Greg Merle. The sixth district covers the southwest corner of lower Michigan. CQ Politics rating: Safe Republican.
File:MI6 House 2008 Counties.svg
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Michigan's 6th congressional district election, 2008
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Fred Upton (inc.)
|votes = 188,157
|percentage = 58.86
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Don Cooney
|votes = 123,257
|percentage = 38.56
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Libertarian Party (United States)
|candidate = Greg Merle
|votes = 4,720
|percentage = 1.48
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Green Party (United States)
|candidate = Edward Pinkney
|votes = 3,512
|percentage = 1.10
}}
{{Election box total no change
|votes = 319,646
|percentage = 100.00
}}
{{Election box hold with party link without swing
|winner = Republican Party (United States)
}}
{{Election box end}}
District 7
{{See also|Michigan's 7th congressional district}}
The seventh district covers the middle part of southern lower Michigan. Republican incumbent Tim Walberg faced State Senate Minority Leader and Democratic nominee Mark Schauer, Libertarian Ken Proctor, Green Lynn Meadows and independent Sharon Reiner. CQ Politics forecast the race as 'No Clear Favorite'.
Walberg was elected in 2006 with a surprisingly thin 49.9% of the vote, despite outspending Democratic opponent Sharon Reiner 20:1. This made Walberg a top target for defeat in 2008 by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Schauer defeated Renier in the August 5 primary,[http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080806/NEWS01/808060322/1002/NEWS01 Schauer advances to general election]{{Dead link|date=February 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Battle Creek Enquirer, August 6, 2008 after which Renier ran in the general election as a write-in candidate with no party affiliation.[http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008809170405 Renier re-enters race for Mich. seat in U.S. House, Associated Press]{{Dead link|date=February 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} LSJ.com, September 17, 2008, accessed September 18, 2008
File:MI7 House 2008 Counties.svg
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Michigan's 7th congressional district election, 2008
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Mark Schauer
|votes = 157,213
|percentage = 48.78
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Tim Walberg (inc.)
|votes = 149,781
|percentage = 46.47
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Green Party (United States)
|candidate = Lynn Meadows
|votes = 9,528
|percentage = 2.96
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Libertarian Party (United States)
|candidate = Ken Proctor
|votes = 5,675
|percentage = 1.76
}}
{{Election box candidate no change
|party = Write-ins
|candidate =
|votes = 89
|percentage = 0.03
}}
{{Election box total no change
|votes = 322,286
|percentage = 100.00
}}
{{Election box gain with party link without swing
|winner = Democratic Party (United States)
|loser = Republican Party (United States)
}}
{{Election box end}}
District 8
{{See also|Michigan's 8th congressional district}}
Incumbent Republican Mike Rogers was re-elected in 2006 with 55.3% of the vote compared to 42.9% for his Democratic opponent. East Lansing Democratic activist Bob Alexander (who lost in 2004 to Rogers) announced that he is running again.http://www.dailypressandargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080314/NEWS01/803140314{{Dead link|date=August 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Aaron Stuttman is running for the Green Party,{{Cite web |url=http://www.migreens.org/candidates2007.php |title=MIGREENS.ORG - Candidates2007 |access-date=2008-07-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080628142830/http://migreens.org/candidates2007.php |archive-date=2008-06-28 |url-status=dead }} Will Tyler White for the Libertarian Party,[http://www.mi.lp.org/Shared%20Documents/candidates.aspx candidates] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100805235250/http://www.mi.lp.org/Shared%20Documents/candidates.aspx |date=August 5, 2010 }} and George Zimmer for the U.S. Taxpayers Party.{{Cite web |url=http://ustaxpayerspartyofmichigan.com/toppage4.htm |title = Elaection Page |access-date=2008-07-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080117085456/http://ustaxpayerspartyofmichigan.com/toppage4.htm |archive-date=2008-01-17 |url-status=dead }} This district stretches from the western Detroit suburbs to the Lansing area. CQ Politics rating: Safe Republican.
File:MI8 House 2008 Counties.svg
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Michigan's 8th congressional district election, 2008
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Mike Rogers (inc.)
|votes = 204,408
|percentage = 56.53
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Robert D. Alexander
|votes = 145,491
|percentage = 40.23
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Libertarian Party (United States)
|candidate = Will Tyler White
|votes = 4,373
|percentage = 1.21
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Green Party (United States)
|candidate = Aaron Stuttman
|votes = 3,836
|percentage = 1.06
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Constitution Party (United States)
|candidate = George M. Zimmer
|votes = 3,499
|percentage = 0.97
}}
{{Election box total no change
|votes = 361,607
|percentage = 100.00
}}
{{Election box hold with party link without swing
|winner = Republican Party (United States)
}}
{{Election box end}}
District 9
{{See also|Michigan's 9th congressional district}}
This district covers parts of Oakland County. Republican incumbent Joe Knollenberg was challenged by former Michigan Lottery commissioner and military veteran, Democratic nominee Gary Peters. Libertarian Adam Goodman, Green Party Douglas Campbell and Independent Dr. Jack Kevorkian were also running. CQ Politics forecasted the race as 'No Clear Favorite'.
Knollenberg was targeted by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee after his surprisingly narrow margin of victory in the 2006 election, receiving 51.5% of the vote compared with 46.2% for his Democratic opponent.
File:MI9 House 2008 Counties.svg
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Michigan's 9th congressional district election, 2008
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Gary Peters
|votes = 183,311
|percentage = 52.08
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Joe Knollenberg (inc.)
|votes = 150,035
|percentage = 42.63
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Independent (politician)
|candidate = Jack Kevorkian
|votes = 8,987
|percentage = 2.55
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Libertarian Party (United States)
|candidate = Adam Goodman
|votes = 4,893
|percentage = 1.39
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Green Party (United States)
|candidate = Douglas Campbell
|votes = 4,737
|percentage = 1.19
}}
{{Election box total no change
|votes = 351,963
|percentage = 100.00
}}
{{Election box gain with party link without swing
|winner = Democratic Party (United States)
|loser = Republican Party (United States)
}}
{{Election box end}}
District 10
{{See also|Michigan's 10th congressional district}}
Republican incumbent Candice Miller was challenged by Democratic nominee Robert Denison, Libertarian Neil Kiernan Stephenson, and Green Candace Caveny. This district stretches from the northeast Detroit suburbs up to most of The Thumb. CQ Politics rating: Safe Republican.
File:MI10 House 2008 Counties.svg
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Michigan's 10th congressional district election, 2008
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Candice Miller (inc.)
|votes = 230,471
|percentage = 66.30
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Robert Denison
|votes = 108,354
|percentage = 31.17
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Libertarian Party (United States)
|candidate = Neil Stephenson
|votes = 4,632
|percentage = 1.33
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Green Party (United States)
|candidate = Candace R. Caveny
|votes = 4,146
|percentage = 1.19
}}
{{Election box total no change
|votes = 347,603
|percentage = 100.00
}}
{{Election box hold with party link without swing
|winner = Republican Party (United States)
}}
{{Election box end}}
District 11
{{See also|Michigan's 11th congressional district}}
Incumbent Republican Thad McCotter was challenged by Democrat Joseph Larkin who defeated Edward Kriewall in the August 5 party primary.{{cite news| url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-mi-eln-ushouse-11thd,0,5082020.story | work=Chicago Tribune | title=Topic Galleries - chicagotribune.com}} Also running were Libertarian John Tatar and Green Erik Shelley. This district covers part of Detroit's western suburbs. CQ Politics rating: Lean Republican.
File:MI11 House 2008 Counties.svg
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Michigan's 11th congressional district election, 2008
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Thaddeus McCotter (inc.)
|votes = 177,461
|percentage = 51.41
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Joseph Larkin
|votes = 156,624
|percentage = 45.37
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Libertarian Party (United States)
|candidate = John J. Tatar
|votes = 6,001
|percentage = 1.74
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Green Party (United States)
|candidate = Erik Shelley
|votes = 5,072
|percentage = 1.47
}}
{{Election box candidate no change
|party = Write-ins
|candidate =
|votes = 23
|percentage = 0.01
}}
{{Election box total no change
|votes = 345,182
|percentage = 100.00
}}
{{Election box hold with party link without swing
|winner = Republican Party (United States)
}}
{{Election box end}}
District 12
{{See also|Michigan's 12th congressional district}}
12-term Democrat Sander M. Levin was challenged by Republican Bert Copple, Libertarian John Vico, Green William J. O'Palicky and U.S. Taxpayers' Lester Townsend. This district covers part of Detroit's northern suburbs. CQ Politics rating: Safe Democrat.
File:MI12 House 2008 Counties.svg
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Michigan's 12th congressional district election, 2008
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Sander Levin (inc.)
|votes = 225,094
|percentage = 72.07
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Bert Copple
|votes = 74,565
|percentage = 23.87
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Libertarian Party (United States)
|candidate = John Vico
|votes = 4,767
|percentage = 1.53
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Constitution Party (United States)
|candidate = Les Townsend
|votes = 4,076
|percentage = 1.30
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Green Party (United States)
|candidate = William J. Opalicky
|votes = 3,842
|percentage = 1.23
}}
{{Election box total no change
|votes = 312,344
|percentage = 100.00
}}
{{Election box hold with party link without swing
|winner = Democratic Party (United States)
}}
{{Election box end}}
District 13
{{See also|Michigan's 13th congressional district}}
Incumbent Democrat Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick narrowly survived the August 5 party primary. She faced complications due to the legal troubles facing her son, Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick.[http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080611/NEWS06/806110318/1008 Mayor's scandal looms over mom's congressional re-election campaign | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press][http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080727/NEWS06/807270560 Cheeks Kilpatrick in a fight for survival in Democratic primary | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press] Cheeks Kilpatrick won with 39.1% of the vote over former state representative Mary Waters with 36% of the vote and state senator Martha Scott with 24.9% of the vote.[http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080806/NEWS15/808060414 Cheeks Kilpatrick triumphs over Waters in close primary race | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press] A televised debate between the three candidates developed into a shouting match.[http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080720/NEWS06/807200527/1001/NEWS Little decorum during congressional debate | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press] Cheeks Kilpatrick faced Republican candidate Edward Gubics, Libertarian candidate Greg Creswell and Green Party candidate George Cosetti in the general election.[http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080807/NEWS06/808070346/1008 Cheeks Kilpatrick's slim win pokes holes in armor | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press] This district covers the east side of Detroit and its eastern and Downriver suburbs. CQ Politics rating: Safe Democrat.
File:MI13 House 2008 Counties.svg
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Michigan's 13th congressional district election, 2008
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick (inc.)
|votes = 167,481
|percentage = 74.13
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Edward J. Gubics
|votes = 43,098
|percentage = 19.08
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Green Party (United States)
|candidate = George L. Corsetti
|votes = 9,579
|percentage = 4.24
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Libertarian Party (United States)
|candidate = Gregory Creswell
|votes = 5,764
|percentage = 2.55
}}
{{Election box total no change
|votes = 225,922
|percentage = 100.00
}}
{{Election box hold with party link without swing
|winner = Democratic Party (United States)
}}
{{Election box end}}
District 14
{{See also|Michigan's 14th congressional district}}
Powerful incumbent Democrat John Conyers, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, had one Democratic opponent in the primary, Detroit pastor Rev. Horace Sheffield,[http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080514/NEWS06/805140433/1008 Michigan news | Detroit Free Press | freep.com] but Sheffield's campaign was short lived[http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080515/NEWS01/805150447/1008/NEWS06 City of Detroit | Detroit Free Press | freep.com] because he withdrew his name and announced his support for Conyers.[http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080517/NEWS06/805170361/1008 Michigan news | Detroit Free Press | freep.com] Conyers faced Libertarian Rick Secula and Green Party Clyde Shabazz in the general election. This district covers the west side of Detroit and some inner western and downriver suburbs. CQ Politics rating: Safe Democrat.
File:MI14 House 2008 Counties.svg
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Michigan's 13th congressional district election, 2008
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = John Conyers (inc.)
|votes = 227,841
|percentage = 92.40
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Libertarian Party (United States)
|candidate = Richard J. Secula
|votes = 10,732
|percentage = 4.35
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Green Party (United States)
|candidate = Clyde K. Shabazz
|votes = 8,015
|percentage = 3.25
}}
{{Election box total no change
|votes = 246,588
|percentage = 100.00
}}
{{Election box hold with party link without swing
|winner = Democratic Party (United States)
}}
{{Election box end}}
District 15
{{See also|Michigan's 15th congressional district}}
55-year Congressional veteran Democrat John Dingell is the Dean of the HouseLocally, he is also referred to as the Dean of Downriver and chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. He was challenged by Republican Jack Lynch, Libertarian Gregory Scott Stempfle, Green Aimee Smith and U.S. Taxpayers Party candidate James Wagner. The 15th district includes Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Monroe, the downriver suburbs of Detroit and the semi-rural southeastern corner of Michigan. CQ Politics rating: Safe Democrat.
File:MI15 House 2008 Counties.svg
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Michigan's 15th congressional district election, 2008
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = John Dingell (inc.)
|votes = 231,784
|percentage = 70.70
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = John J. Lynch
|votes = 81,802
|percentage = 24.95
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Green Party (United States)
|candidate = Aimee Smith
|votes = 7,082
|percentage = 2.16
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Libertarian Party (United States)
|candidate = Gregory Stempfle
|votes = 4,002
|percentage = 1.22
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Constitution Party (United States)
|candidate = James H. Wagner
|votes = 3,157
|percentage = 0.96
}}
{{Election box total no change
|votes = 327,827
|percentage = 100.00
}}
{{Election box hold with party link without swing
|winner = Democratic Party (United States)
}}
{{Election box end}}
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
- [http://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,1607,7-127-1633---,00.html Elections in Michigan] from the Michigan Secretary of State
- [http://www.votesmart.org/election_congress_state.php?state_id=MI&go33.x=10&go33.y=8 U.S. Congress candidates for Michigan] at Project Vote Smart
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20080630102727/http://www.2008racetracker.com/page/Michigan Michigan U.S. House Races] from 2008 Race Tracker
- [http://www.opensecrets.org/races/election.php?state=MI Campaign contributions for Michigan congressional races] from OpenSecrets
{{2008 United States elections}}